The Babylon Times

📜 GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER FULLY BACKS US POSITION URGES IRAN TO REOPEN STRAIT OF HORMUZ Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul declares full backing for the United States' negotiating stance. He sees zero justification for Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz and demands it reopen the vital shipping route pronto.

"Germany fully backs the United States' negotiating position and sees no justification for Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz," Wadephul stated, urging immediate reopening.

@TheBabylonTimes | Forum

📜 IRANIAN AIR DEFENSES LIGHT UP TEHRAN AMID REGIONAL TENSIONS Iranian media reports air defense systems kicking into gear across several Tehran spots, the capital under the usual watchful eyes. Sounds of the defenses echoed through the city Thursday evening, Anadolu Agency correspondents confirming the racket in multiple districts. This comes after similar activations in recent days, as tensions simmer in the region. @TheBabylonTimes

📜 ISRAELI MINISTER URGES LEARNING FROM UKRAINE FOR ESCALATED STRIKES Israeli Minister Amichai Chikli says Israel should've cribbed lessons from Ukraine sooner, with military teams pitching ideas that got shrugged off. This lands amid the usual tough talk: Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich boasts Lebanon ops will deliver "enough" action for generations. US bigwig Scott Bessent chimes in on Iranian bosses hunkered in bunkers and pushing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz post-attacks. Officials lining up for more regional pounding. @TheBabylonTimes | Forum

📜 CARGO SHIP REPORTS ATTACK BY SMALL BOATS IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ South Korea's Yonhap says authorities are checking claims of an assault on a large cargo ship about 11 miles off Iran's coast. The ship reported coming under fire from several small boats, per maritime operation centers and AP from Dubai. This comes amid recent shipping disruptions in the strait from heightened tensions. @TheBabylonTimes

📜 ISRAELI FINANCE MINISTER SMOTRICH PROMISES HIS SON ENOUGH LEBANON LEFT TO DESTROY Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says his son keeps begging him not to wrap up the military campaign in Lebanon, wanting something left for his own turn. Smotrich reassures the boy there's plenty for everyone. This comes amid Israel's ground incursions and airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, displacing thousands of civilians and wrecking homes and infrastructure in border villages. @TheBabylonTimes | Forum

📜 US OFFICIAL BRAGS OF ABSOLUTE CONTROL OVER STRAIT OF HORMUZ AS IRAN DEFENDS IT US official Scott Bessent claims Iran is trying to restrict international navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, while America ensures it stays open. He insists the US holds absolute control, dismissing any Iranian say. Bessent sneers Iran's economy is collapsing, mocking that Iranian soldiers won't stomach unpaid wages despite supposed high pain tolerance. This follows an IRGC attack on a South Korean-linked ship there, per Yonhap, with UAE shelter alerts now lifted. @TheBabylonTimes | Forum

📜 SCOTT BESSENT CLAIMS IRANIAN LEADERS COWERING IN BUNKERS DURING ATTACKS Scott Bessent says Iranian leaders are hunkered down in bunkers as attacks rage on. This follows his note that Iranian strikes shut the Strait of Hormuz, with some international operation now scrambling to pry it open—Bessent nagging China to pitch in. @TheBabylonTimes | Forum

📜 ISRAELI FINANCE MINISTER SMOTRICH BRAGS STOCK INDICES UP OVER 100% SINCE PRE-WAR Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced Israel's main stock market indices have climbed more than 100% since before the war. He boasted no other country pulled off that feat, claiming Israel beat American markets and can now borrow debt cheaper than the US government in its own backyard. @TheBabylonTimes | Forum

📜 UAE ORDERS DUBAI RESIDENTS INTO SHELTERS OVER MISSILE SCARE UAE authorities blasted out an emergency alert, zeroing in on Dubai folks to hunker down pronto in the nearest sturdy building—far from windows, doors, and anything open—thanks to some looming missile threat. Ministry of Interior's cheery note told everyone to sit tight for more orders. Officials eventually gave the all-clear, saying it's safe to crawl back to normal life. @TheBabylonTimes

📜 CENTCOM BRAGS TWO US-FLAGGED VESSELS SLIP THROUGH STRAIT OF HORMUZ UNBOTHERED CENTCOM reports two U.S.-flagged merchant vessels made it through the Strait of Hormuz without a hitch, now chugging along on their merry way. The statement pats itself on the back for the safe passage through this oh-so-critical shipping lane. No disruptions or threats noted—business as usual in the empire's playground. @TheBabylonTimes | Forum

📜 UAE LUXURY WATCH CEO HEARS EUROPE'S NOT SO SAFE AFTER ALL Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi, CEO of Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons—the UAE's top luxury watch and fine jewelry outfit—says folks told him his country beats plenty of Europe spots for safety amid the crisis. Apparently, Europe's charm comes with strings attached. @TheBabylonTimes | Forum

📜 GERMAN CHANCELLOR MERZ SAYS JEWISH LIFE IN GERMANY UNDER BIGGEST THREAT IN AGES Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz claims Jewish life there faces greater threats than in a long time. He points to a sharp rise in criminal offenses, physical assaults, and anti-Semitic graffiti. Merz pledges Germany's full, unrestricted support for Jewish women and men in the country. @TheBabylonTimes | Forum

📜 MACRON WARNS EUROPE WILL PAY FOR CHINA DEPENDENCIES AS US-CHINA CLASH LOOMS French President Emmanuel Macron stated Europe will likely face the consequences of its dependencies on China. He emphasized one major risk is an acceleration of the confrontation between China and the United States. Macron also said Europe has decided to wake up and avoid depending on any major power. @TheBabylonTimes | Forum

📜 ARMENIA CLAIMS PEACE WITH AZERBAIJAN AFTER TWO YEARS WITHOUT CASUALTIES Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced his country now enjoys peace with Azerbaijan, with zero casualties for two years—a first since independence. He pointed out Azerbaijan's president joined an event in Armenia online, another novelty. Pashinyan hopes to visit Azerbaijan in 2028. @TheBabylonTimes | Forum

📜 IRAN'S PARLIAMENT SPOKESMAN NOTES SHIFT IN COUNTRIES' TONE TOWARD IRAN POST-WAR Ibrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, says countries' tone toward Iran has conveniently changed since the war—right along with the region's security doctrine. He adds all officials stay united under the Supreme Leader's wise decisions, no cracks in that front. @TheBabylonTimes

📜 US OFFICIAL OKS STRIKES ON IRANIAN THREATS IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ A U.S. official says rules of engagement for American forces in the Middle East got a convenient update. Now they can hit "immediate threats" to ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz—like those pesky IRGC fast boats or Iranian missile spots. This tweak arrives amid ramped-up tensions after Iran's drones tagged an ADNOC-linked tanker. Two drones struck; zero injuries. Source: Barak Ravid. @TheBabylonTimes

📜 IRAN DRONES STRAIT OF HORMUZ UAE OIL TANKER OWNED BY ABU DHABI NATIONAL OIL COMPANY United Arab Emirates confirms Iran hit their ADNOC-owned oil tanker with two drones in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, 15 crew from the tanker Tusca made it back home. @TheBabylonTimes

UPDATE:📜 IRAN FIRES WARNING SHOT AT US WARSHIP BLOCKING STRAIT OF HORMUZ ENTRY A senior Iranian official informs Reuters that Iran lobbed a warning shot at a US warship to keep it out of the Strait of Hormuz. The official notes it's unclear if the aggressor's boat took any damage. Meanwhile, Iranian drones hit an ADNOC oil tanker in the same strait, with Tosca's 15 crew now safely back in the UAE. @TheBabylonTimes

UPDATE:📜 IRANIAN DRONES HIT UAE-FLAGGED ADNOC OIL TANKER IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ Fifteen crew from the Toskia just showed up in the country after Iranian drones struck their UAE-flagged oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. UAE confirms it's an Abu Dhabi National Oil Company vessel, targeted by two drones. No injuries or damage details yet. @TheBabylonTimes | Forum

UPDATE:📜 IRAN BANS ALL MARITIME TRAFFIC THROUGH STRAIT OF HORMUZ WITHOUT ARMED FORCES OK An informed Iranian military source lays it out: no ships or naval vessels pass the Strait of Hormuz without prior Iranian authorization. The source tells everyone to wise up from the 40-day war and dodge the bill for America's latest recklessness. This comes after the same source reported Iranian forces firing warning shots at U.S. combat vessels, amid full readiness and a flat rejection of U.S. bullying in the strait. @TheBabylonTimes